The Local Switzerland

How different is life in one Swiss canton compared to another? Though, seen from abroad, Switzerland may seem like a homogeneous country, it is just the opposite – while small, it offers lots of variety and diversity throughout.

How different is life in one Swiss canton compared to another?

Can foreign residents join Switzerland's police forces? The Swiss city of Lausanne said it could start hiring foreign nationals for its police force. But what are the general rules around Switzerland when it comes to who can become a police officer?

Can foreign residents join Switzerland's police forces?

Checklist: Everything you need to do if you leave Switzerland for good Whether you’re returning to your home country, seeking new adventures elsewhere or retiring abroad, leaving Switzerland means more Swiss bureaucracy and there are lots of things you’ll need to arrange before you leave.

Checklist: Everything you need to do if you leave Switzerland for good

The best websites for buying or selling second-hand goods in Switzerland Whether you want to buy or sell second-hand items in Switzerland, these Swiss websites will help you do that.

The best websites for buying or selling second-hand goods in Switzerland

Ten ways to experience Switzerland like the Swiss Having spent almost a decade living in Switzerland, American journalist and author Chantal Panozzo knows a thing or two about the lesser known side of Switzerland.

Ten ways to experience Switzerland like the Swiss

'Retiring is unaffordable': Why so many foreign residents leave Switzerland The number of foreign residents who leave Switzerland to return home is well above the EU average for emigration, so why do so many leave? The Local’s readers have offered a few reasons.

'Retiring is unaffordable': Why so many foreign residents leave Switzerland

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday Switzerland will not grant early residency permits to Ukrainian refugees; Lausanne police could hire foreign residents to join their ranks; and more news in our Wednesday roundup.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday

What are your rights in Switzerland if your landlord wants to sell the flat you rent? Your landlord in Switzerland may decide to sell the apartment you have been renting. Does the Swiss law grant you any rights in this matter?

What are your rights in Switzerland if your landlord wants to sell the flat you rent?

Can you claim unemployment benefits in Switzerland if you quit your job? Sometimes you’ve just had enough, and it’s time to get out of a job that isn’t right for you. However, are you still able to claim unemployment in Switzerland if you quit? Here’s what to know.

Can you claim unemployment benefits in Switzerland if you quit your job?

How difficult is it to change your doctor in Switzerland? If you already have a GP doctor in Switzerland but, for some reason, need or want to switch, how easy is it to do so?

How difficult is it to change your doctor in Switzerland?

'Not Swiss enough': Switzerland accused of discrimination towards naturalised citizens Reference letters from Swiss citizens on behalf of naturalisation applicants are a standard requirement in a citizenship procedure. But it appears some Swiss citizens are more equal than others when it comes to who can provide them.

'Not Swiss enough': Switzerland accused of discrimination towards naturalised citizens

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday Immigration authorities accused of 'discriminatory' practice regarding naturalisation reference letters; health experts recommend 'voluntary' mask wearing this winter; and more Swiss news in our roundup on Tuesday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday

EXPLAINED: How Americans can retire in Switzerland A tranquil, peaceful and safe country, Switzerland's appeal is undeniable. But can US citizens retire here?

EXPLAINED: How Americans can retire in Switzerland

Why it's getting harder for graduates in Switzerland to find a job Although the unemployment rate in Switzerland is low - 2.8 percent in September 2025 - there are fewer jobs around for some qualified professionals.

Why it's getting harder for graduates in Switzerland to find a job

Could a recruitment agency help me find a job in Switzerland? Regardless of whether you are a Swiss citizen or a EU/EFTA national looking for work, you may be wondering whether an employment agency may boost your chances of getting a good job in Switzerland.

Could a recruitment agency help me find a job in Switzerland?

Can I opt out of giving my biometrics under Europe's new border checks? Non-EU travellers heading to EU/Schengen countries will soon face biometric border controls as the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into force from October 12th. But can travellers opt out?

Can I opt out of giving my biometrics under Europe's new border checks?

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday Swiss polytechnic institutes are vetting and rejecting dozens of foreign students; right-wing party is becoming more popular among Swiss voters; and more news in our Monday roundup.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday

Swiss solar furnaces recycling watchmakers' waste metal A Swiss company inaugurated two solar furnaces on Friday in a watchmaking city, aimed at melting down and recycling the key industry's steel offcuts by using green energy.

Swiss solar furnaces recycling watchmakers' waste metal

Swiss seek mini-drone defence system Switzerland's military said Friday it plans to acquire a defence system against "mini-drones", after several European countries recently reported incursions into their airspace, pointing the finger at Russia.

Swiss seek mini-drone defence system

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to catch up on this week Foreign drivers to be slapped with a 'transit fee', and was US president right about the number of illegal immigrants in Swiss prisons - these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to catch up on this week

Will Zurich really get '1-franc-a-day' travel pass and how will it work? Voters in Zurich have approved a plan to cut the cost of an annual travelcard on local public transport (ZVV) down to 365 francs (1 franc a day) from the current price of over 800 francs. Will it really happen and how will it work?

Will Zurich really get '1-franc-a-day' travel pass and how will it work?

Why are things so slow to change in Switzerland? If you have lived in the country a while, you know that things here change at a snail’s pace. There are several reasons why the Swiss like to take their sweet time — and it has nothing to do with watches.

Why are things so slow to change in Switzerland?

Why you should be wary of calls from Swiss health insurance companies Residents in Switzerland have until November 30th to switch their current health insurance policy to a new one. But there are reasons to be wary of marketing calls from various insurance companies urging you to buy their policy.

Why you should be wary of calls from Swiss health insurance companies

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday Lausanne residents take to the streets to protest against budget cuts; doctors banned from practice abroad are working in Switzerland; and more news in our roundup on Friday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Which Swiss cantons and communities naturalise the most foreigners? In all, about 40,000 foreign nationals receive Swiss citizenship every year. But where is the naturalisation rate highest and lowest?

Which Swiss cantons and communities naturalise the most foreigners?

'7 percent': Swiss health insurance costs could rise more than announced rate The government had said health insurance premiums in Switzerland will increase by 4.4 percent on average in 2026 but, in fact, consumers may end up paying quite a bit more.

'7 percent': Swiss health insurance costs could rise more than announced rate

Where are the job openings in Switzerland this autumn? The Swiss labour market – and particularly export-oriented industries like pharmaceuticals and watch manufacturing - is under pressure due to the hefty US tariffs. But many companies keep hiring nevertheless.

Where are the job openings in Switzerland this autumn?

Do I need to learn Swiss German rather than normal German to prove I'm integrated? Proficiency in a ‘local’ language (‘local’ being the key word here) is a requirement residence permits and, even more so, for naturalisation in Switzerland. So what language does a foreigner need to master if living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland?

Do I need to learn Swiss German rather than normal German to prove I'm integrated?

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday Students take to the streets to protest planned tuition hikes; regions where most and least job openings are advertised; and more Swiss news in our roundup on Thursday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday

How 'card tipping' has taken over in Switzerland - even if the Swiss don't like it Even though Switzerland does not have a ‘tipping culture’, a new practice of ‘set’ tips is increasingly seeping into Swiss restaurants and coffee shops. However, most customers don’t seem to like it.

How 'card tipping' has taken over in Switzerland - even if the Swiss don't like it